Judy Mendoza

Judy Abigail Mendoza, 69, of Alcalde, New Mexico, passed away on October 17, 2023.

Judy was born to Delfino and Feybe Garcia and grew up in Alcalde, New Mexico. Shortly after graduating high school Judy became a certified nurse assistant which was the start of her life of caregiving. Over the years Judy used her skills as a CNA to help care for elderly in her community where she easily made friends with many people. But her work did not extend solely to caregiving. One of Judy’s favorite jobs was at Los Luceros during harvest time. This was an experience she talked about often.

 Judy compassion for others made her an incredible homemaker who loved her family with all her heart, giving them all she could, and never asking for anything in return. Judy’s greatest joys were her children and grandchildren. She especially loved being a grandmother and to spend as much time with her grandchildren as she could. She was often called upon to take care of them and she absolutely loved to cook for them. Judy would make anything her grandchildren asked for; their favorites being spaghetti, mac & cheese, and a special request was her deep-fried green chile burritos that she learned how to make from her mother Feybe. One of her favorite things was preparing food and feeding those she loved, and she did not skimp. She always made sure people were fed. Judy’s love for people, which she regularly showed by making sure they had eaten, even spilled over to others in her sphere, including workers that would do trash-pick up. Judy would prepare a special lunch for them, to help them get through their day.

Judy loved her bling and was well-known as Judy in the Sky, partly because she loved the song Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, but also because she loved diamonds. Also, for the revised song “ Judy in the Sky” by John Fred. You would regularly see her with bright colors, as she loved being flashy and she loved pretty things. Judy collected mementos that said “Judy in the Sky”, embellished with rhinestones and other beautiful gems. Her grandkids called her “Purple Grandma” and loved how she would make sure her house was always decorated. Christmas was her favorite time and you would never find her house without decorations, sometimes leaving her Christmas tree and lights up further into the year, only changing the tree theme. If she was left alone at someone else’s house, she would decorate that too. Sand & Sable was her favorite perfume and she often wore Stetson, simply because she loved the scent even though it was meant for men. She just loved beautiful scents and smelling good.

Judy was a collector of items, many times her intention was to regift them to others who were in need or even just who expressed that they wanted something. If you told Judy there was something you had been looking for Judy would find the very thing in her collection and gift it to you. Judy’s thoughtfulness was bar none. She always carried a purse with candy and toys for the many kids in her life.

Judy’s favorite song was, “these boots were made for walking” and often sang it and danced with her grandkids while singing. She loved music and dancing, to the point of entering dance contests and winning trophies. Her favorite music groups were Los Caminantes, Los Bukis, Los Tigres del Norte, Bobby Sherman,  Freddy Fender, Los Blue Ventures and many others.  Judy loved crafting and the Dallas Cowboys, getting dressed up and making sure to wear her jersey for Sunday Football even when her team wasn’t playing.

The oldest of Feybe’s daughters, Judy and her mother had a very special relationship, and would talk to each other every day. In fact, one of her favorite pastimes was talking on the phone. When she learned about Facebook she took right to it because she loved connecting with people. She never missed a day of wishing her friends a happy birthday. She made it a point to let friends know she was there by spending hours interacting and commenting on their posts; it was her way of expressing her love.

Judy and her sister Ruby were always very close and nothing could separate them. Ruby took great care of Judy, making sure she was always doing okay. Judy had a special bond with each of her children. She loved Roland’s artwork and music, making sure to attend all of his gigs. She was his biggest fan. Roland was the one Judy called when she needed something fixed and he would do so without fail. Judy loved going to Darnella’s house for her many dinners and parties; it was her favorite place to celebrate festivities. She always wanted to help with setting things up, cooking, and cleaning. She knew Darnella and her daughters would always be there if she needed something. The bond between Angie and Judy was a marvel and very special. Angie’s closeness to God made Judy feel comforted. Angie would pray for and with Judy and take her to church, helping Judy’s increase in faith. She loved going to church with Angie at New Creation because she loved the music and their incredible hospitality. Pastors Barry and Sandy welcomed her with open arms, and would tell her to come just as she was, “we love you anyway.” Pastor Sandy remembers how Judy would always attend church looking her best.

 Judy loved Maxine, and always tried to make sure she was okay. Judy had a special connection with Maxine, because she had given her the middle name of Judy’s mom, Feybe. Maxine was her mom’s protector and called her often. Rosabelle had so much love for Judy and was always there whenever she needed her. Judy spent a great deal of time with Rosabelle and her family, and loved to take care of Rosabelle’s children, all of whom love their purple grandma immensely. Rosabelle has her mother's heart. Eve was the strong one that Judy didn’t worry about because she was very much like her in strength and determination. Eve took after Judy in her skills, especially cooking. Judy was very picky about whose food she ate but she would always eat Eve’s food. Judy loved spending time with Eve at her home in Springer.

Although not the youngest, Jessica was always her baby, beautiful inside and out and a mirror image of Judy. Judy and Jessica loved to give each other makeovers. Jessica was the only person Judy would allow to touch her hair. Jessica has lived in Texas most of her life and Judy made frequent trips to be with her. Judy’s youngest was Jose and everyone knew he was her consentido. It was because of Jose that the Cowboys was her team. Judy loved nothing more than to be with Jose and spend as much time with him as she possibly could.

Even though Luis Jr. was not her own, she loved him as if he were. When Luis Jr. passed away, he took a piece of her with him. Judy treated Luis Sr.’s children as her own, with them calling her mama Judy. Judy’s love brought two families together.

Judy is preceded in death by her parents, Delfino and Maria Feybe Garcia; grandparents Cesario & Ernestine Villareal and Salvador and Celina Garcia; and great grandmother Sylvania Garcia; father of her youngest children, Luis Mendoza Sr.; son Luis Mendoza Jr.; uncles and aunts Celestino, Patricio, Elsie, Judy, and Yvonne Villareal; uncles and aunts Max, Joe, Richard, Ramon, Candelaria, Ruth, Helen, and Connie; brothers and sisters Leonard, Gary, and Christina Garcia; nieces and nephews Leo Nevarez, Isaac Hernandez, Josie Villareal, Jordan Garcia, Christina Garcia, Nadine Garcia-Lopez, Raymond Garcia, Febye Rose Sena, Gary Orozco, Jaiden Santana, Kathleen Baca, and Pedro Baca.

Judy is survived by her children Roland Garcia (Georgette), Darnella Camacho (Manuel), Angie Arellano, Maxine Arellano, Rosabelle Arellano (Marcos Romero), Eve Cisneros (Manuel), Jessica Lujan (Jose), and Jose Mendoza (Natalie); brothers and sisters Trina Nevarez, Dale and Loretta Garcia, Ruby Garcia-Sanchez (Jaime), Elaine Garcia, Leon Garcia (Florence), and Harold Garcia.

Judy is survived also by her grandchildren Roland (Grizz) Garcia Jr. and Matthias, David Garcia, Lizzet Veletas (Javier), Tyla Olivares (Daniel), Alicia Chavira (Manuel), Alexis Castillo (Ricky), Jasmaine and Marikah Garcia, Branden Mendoza (Josette), Jaira, Jayden, Jalea, Jazlyn, and Dominic Mendoza, Andres Vigil Mendoza, Kaylee Atencio Mendoza, Jose Lujan Jr. and Mateo, Jeren and Ethan Arellano, Camille, Diego, and Santiago Romero, Araceli and Ayanalisa Cisneros Mendoza, Roxanne Martinez, Alexandra Arellano, Adrian Medina, Joel Montalvo, Everitte Arellano, Noel “JonJon” Arellano, Dos Santos Arellano, Nicholas Medina, Joy and Janise Arellano, and granddogs Scar and Oreo; great grandchildren Aneylen, Isabel, Gael, Uriel, Alonzo, Jordan, Sebastian, Marisol, Zayden, and Mateo, Aria , Cadence; Jimmy Arellano, father of her children; in-laws Clorinda DeVargas, Joseph and Arlene Baca, and Leroy Arellano; aunts and uncles who she adored Delio Villareal, Augustina Vigil, Sarah Moreland, Andy Villareal; Lilly Ordoñez, Natalie Mendoza, Vickie Martinez and Eva, whom she considered to be daughters and their children whom she considered her grandchildren as well. Special friends, Nancy and Tony.  Judy had many nieces and a nephews whom she loved wholeheartedly.

Serving as pallbearers are Marcos Romero, Manuel G. Cisneros, Manuel Camacho, Roland Grizz Garcia, Jose Lujan, Nicholas Medina. Honorary pallbearers are David Garcia, Mattias Garcia, Jayden Mendoza, Branden Mendoza, Andres Mendoza-Vigil, Dominic Mendoza, Jose Lujan Jr., Mateo Lujan, Jeren Arellano, Ethan Arellano, Diego Romero, Santiago Romero, Adrian Medina, Joel Montalvo, Everitte Arellano, Noel “JonJon” Arellano, Dos Santos Arellano and Nicholas Medina.

Judy in the Sky is loved by many and will be greatly missed.

 The family would like to thank Pastors Barry and Sandy Trujillo of New Creation in Christ Ministries of Espanola, Rivera Funeral Home, and Gil and Marcie Romero for helping them get through this difficult time.

All at New Creation November 4, 2023

Public viewing 11:00 am

Service 12:00 pm

Reception 1:00pm